Project GROW is another public art initiative of the ArtworkZ Public Art & Design Program produced by MOCAH. This community art project was developed to increase the awareness of the 5th Ward community of the proximity and potential environmental hazards of a 36 acre contaminated waste site, Many Diversified Interests, Inc. (MDI). As well, this project was designed to empower the area youth by providing them with a vehicle to voice their concerns regarding the environmental impact, the necessary cleanup and future use of the MDI site. Our primary goal was to utilize this project as a catalyst for community revitalization and empowerment.

Project GROW provided an opportunity for the youth of 5th Ward, particularly those living around the MDI Superfund site, to share their vision towards the potential future reuse of the site. Often times the children in a community are not even considered when decisions are made for redevelopment of such properties but through the vision of public artist, Reginald Adams, Project GROW gave the youth a chance to speak their minds through the use of art.

PROCESS
Project GROW was a process that included a series of brainstorming and design workshops. Within these workshops the youth were exposed to details about the MDI site, including the causes of contamination, the types of contaminated materials found, the effects of the contaminants, the process of remediation as described by the EPA and the future reuse of the land. This information was used to educate the youth but more importantly inspire them to create their own vision as to how the MDI site can be redeveloped.
There were two sites proposed to participate in Project GROW, including: Swiney Park Community Center and Julia C. Hester House. 107 youth participated to create this community mural.

This project began in May 2003 and was dedicated in April 2004. The artists and writers worked with each of the participating site’s after school program over a six-week period and produced the designs and writings for the proposed mural panels. Students from each site had an opportunity to create a visual image and a writing expression that was transferred to the 4’ x 8’ wooden panels. Collectively, the panels create a 800-foot long mural portraying the participating students’ concerns, thoughts, and visions for a clean, healthy and more productive community.

RESULTS
Upon completion, all of the mural panels were installed along the perimeter of the chain link fenced MDI site. The fencing around the site accommodates 200 panels, totaling 800 feet. Until the completion of and during the extensive cleanup of the site, which was projected to begin the fall of 2003 through 2004, these panels served as visual barriers to the site. The panels also deterred children in the area from climbing the chain link fence which surrounds the 36-acre contamination site.

Once all of the panels were installed the community and city at-large were invited to join the students, their families and area residents in the dedication of Project GROW. The dedication, hosted on April 24, 2004 in celebration of Earth Day, involved an exhibition of the students’ designs, writings, archival information about the MDI site, photo-documentation of the students at work and most importantly the murals themselves. Community health partners such as the City of Houston's Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program were in attendance to extend additional information and free lead screenings for the residents. As well, representatives from the EPA were in attendance to discuss and update community residents on the status of remediation of the site.

SUPPORT
The community partners and stakeholders committed to participate in this project include the Museum Of Cultural Arts Houston, Mothers for Clean Air, Environmental Institute of Houston, Mayor’s Anti-Gang Task Force, 5th Ward Weed & Seed Program, Phogg Foundation, Intrust USA Ltd, Monarch Paint Co., The Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County and The Captain Planet Foundation. These community stakeholders have provided financial and/or in-kind support to Project GROW.